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MJ: Can we start off by discussing the cast members who have so far been
officially confirmed? Why did you pick Martin Freeman for the role of
Arthur?
Garth: Arthur Dent had to be Martin really. Martin screen-tested for the
role many months ago now. Robbie saw the tape along with us and it was the
kind of tape you hope you're going to have but very rarely do, when someone
just comes in and nails it.
He has just been extraordinary. He has reinvented it so its still Arthur but
its a very new, fresh take on it. As you've seen in The Office, he can make
even the most preposterous situations real and have real heart. He's just so
natural and wonderful. To see Martin struggling with hitchhiking through the
universe is going to be the most lovely thing to watch.
MJ: What about the unusual choice of Mos Def as Ford?
Garth: Well, you can't get more of a contrast than between Martin Freeman
and Mos Def. He's just marvellous, a fabulous bloke. You wait till you meet
him, you'll love him. He's perfect for Ford. We didn't know much about Mos
before we went to meet him; since meeting him and investigating everything
he's done, it was almost no question - it had to be him.
MJ: Can you just allay the fears of some people that, although Mos Def is a
rap artist, he won't be playing a hip-hop Ford?
Garth: No, I think that would be the most appalling thing ever in the
history of the world. To be fair, I didn't know much about Mos Def before I
met him and didn't think that he was going to be right. But that's why I
say, when you meet him, he's the most wonderful actor first and foremost but
he's also incredibly funny, incredibly clever. He just fits the brief in a
most unexpected way really.
MJ: And Zooey Deschanel, right, will be Trillian. Why did you pick her?
Garth: Trillian's one of those characters that needed a bit more going on.
She was a character that needed much development and that's something that
Douglas was working quite hard on. Zooey again just fitted the bill as far
as being somebody who can be both smart and funny but not irritating. Its
very hard to have somebody who's very clever and knows lots of things and
not have them get under your skin. We found somebody who also works very
well with Arthur, to really give Arthur a run for his money - and everyone
else. She can hold her own. The last thing we wanted was the token female,
and Zooey more than fitted the bill. I could go on about her for ages
because she's absolutely fabulous and she is extraordinary in real life as
well. If we just get a bit of what she's like in real life, I think well be
there.
MJ: I know a lot of people feel Sam Rockwell is a great choice for Zaphod.
Garth: Sam is an extraordinary fella. He's the only man I know who can go
from a high karate kick, straight into the splits without pulling a muscle
and still look cool! He really took to Zaphod like a duck to water and his
determination to get it right is more than I could hope for. I would imagine
its a bad idea to let him have an espresso before work unless we have a
re-enforced set but other than that I think he's going to be excellent.
MJ: Bill Nighy as Slartibartfast was the first casting we heard about but
the last of the main roles to be confirmed - why was that?
Garth: Nick and I received the script for the film just after watching the
BBC's State Of Play in which Bill Nighy was fantastic. Bill's just perfect
for Slartibartfast and we never bothered even considering anyone else. I
wrote to him on several occasions to ask him to play Slarti but didn't hear
anything back for a while because he was so busy. The next thing I knew, he
was in the papers talking about how much he loved the script and how excited
he was to be offered the part. His enthusiasm and understanding of
Hitchhikers is priceless. You can't ask for more than that.
SPY HUNTER
Latino Review spoke to The Rock on the set of Be Cool, the sequel to Get
Shorty, which he is starring in alongside John Travolta and Uma Thurman. The
Rock seemed to speculate that John Woo (Face/Off) could be in the running to
direct his next movie, Spy Hunter.
Spy Hunter will be a movie-adaptation of the famous arcade game from the
1980s, starring The Rock as Alec Sects, a former F-15 pilot employed by the
International Espionage Services as a member of the Spy-Hunter team.
WATCHMEN
Alan Moore's celebrated 80s graphic novel has been in development hell for
almost two decades now, but the film is slowly becoming a reality thanks to
screenwriter David Hayter, who had hoped to direct... but not now.
Instead, the studio have entrusted the project to Darren Aronofsky (Requiem
For A Dream)! Fantastic news for those who have seen Aronofskys incredible
work. First, Aronofsky will film The Fountain.
DONNIE DARKO - THE DIRECTOR'S CUT
'Newmarket Films' are definitely releasing a director's cut of Richard
Kelly's Donnie Darko this summer in the U.S. The film, starring Jake
Gyllenhaal, right, only made $517,375 when it was released in U.S cinemas in
October 2001, but will now get a second chance. Audience interest has been
demonstrated by strong sales of the DVD which have grossed $10 million on
about a million units!
The new version will include 21 minutes of footage not in the original
release, to be premiered on 29 May at the 'Seattle Film Festival'.
'Newmarket' plans to release the film on 10 screens in Seattle as a test run
for a wider national release.
'Empire Online' spoke to writer-director Richard Kelly about the extra
material in the Director's Cut, with Kelly saying: "I kind of want to leave
it as a surprise but I will say that this it will be worth the price of
admission - it's not trying to cash-in on the fan-base, it's a wholly new
theatrical experience."
"It will expand the meaning of the film and offer more clues and more
solutions to the puzzle and create an additional layer of mystery for the
audience. There really is a tremendous amount of new material - some of
which will surprise even the most die-hard fans. One thing I am really
excited about is the new sound."
"I was really unhappy with the mix that we had in the first cut. We never
really had time to go in properly and design the sound. We can go back and
really get it right this time. I'm very excited about the new sonic elements
of the film."
IRON MAN
Screenwriter David Hayter (X-Men) will rewrite Iron Man for 'New Line
Cinema', says 'The Hollywood Reporter'. Alfred Gough and Miles Millar,
creators of TV's Smallville, wrote the previous draft.
THE RING 2
Bloody Disgusting has revealed that actress Daveigh Chase wont reprise her
role as the spooky Samara for upcoming Ring sequel, to be directed by Hideo
Nakata.
Apparently, her character only appears in three small scenes and doesn't
have any dialogue, so the actress was apparently advised to move onto other
projects.
In related news, horror icon Sissy Spacek (Carrie) has joined the cast
alongside Naomi Watts.
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Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
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** IN THE PIPELINE **